LAPSE Synonyms: 161 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'lapse' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of lapse are blunder , error , mistake , and slip . While all these words mean "a departure from what is true, right, or proper," lapse stresses forgetfulness, weakness, or inattention as a cause. // a lapse in judgment

Q: When might 'blunder' be a better fit than 'lapse'?

While in some cases nearly identical to lapse , blunder regularly imputes stupidity or ignorance as a cause and connotes some degree of blame. // diplomatic blunders

Q: Where would 'error' be a reasonable alternative to 'lapse'?

Although the words error and lapse have much in common, error suggests the existence of a standard or guide and a straying from the right course through failure to make effective use of this. // procedural errors

Q: In what contexts can 'mistake' take the place of 'lapse'?

In some situations, the words mistake and lapse are roughly equivalent. However, mistake implies misconception or inadvertence and usually expresses less criticism than error . // dialed the wrong number by mistake

Q: When can 'slip' be used instead of 'lapse'?

The words slip and lapse can be used in similar contexts, but slip stresses inadvertence or accident and applies especially to trivial but embarrassing mistakes. // a slip of the tongue

lapse 1 of 2

noun

ˈlaps

Definition of lapse

as in setback

a change in status for the worse usually temporarily the scandal caused the president to suffer a dramatic lapse in popularity

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

status quo

as in mistake

an unintentional departure from truth or accuracy his slip of the tongue about the mayor's name was an unfortunate lapse

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in cessation

the stopping of a process or activity wasn't bothered by the lapse of her membership at the health club

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

lapse

2 of 2

verb

as in to expire

to come to an end the contract will lapse at the end of the year unless we renew

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun lapse differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of lapse are blunder, error, mistake, and slip. While all these words mean "a departure from what is true, right, or proper," lapse stresses forgetfulness, weakness, or inattention as a cause.

a lapse in judgment

When might blunder be a better fit than lapse?

While in some cases nearly identical to lapse, blunder regularly imputes stupidity or ignorance as a cause and connotes some degree of blame.

diplomatic blunders

Where would error be a reasonable alternative to lapse?

Although the words error and lapse have much in common, error suggests the existence of a standard or guide and a straying from the right course through failure to make effective use of this.

procedural errors

In what contexts can mistake take the place of lapse?

In some situations, the words mistake and lapse are roughly equivalent. However, mistake implies misconception or inadvertence and usually expresses less criticism than error.

dialed the wrong number by mistake

When can slip be used instead of lapse?

The words slip and lapse can be used in similar contexts, but slip stresses inadvertence or accident and applies especially to trivial but embarrassing mistakes.

a slip of the tongue

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of lapse

Noun

Fernández praised his offense Monday and pointed to lapses on the other end, an especially relevant concern after Washington scored 72 first-half points. — C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 13 Oct. 2026 Yet, a last-second mental lapse Sunday by one of the five professional sports franchises Johnson co-owns prompted him to tweet the equivalent of a distress signal. — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026

Verb

But the ban lapsed in 2004 because the law included a sunset provision. — Robert Spitzer, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2026 According to the lawsuit, several license renewals and certifications lapsed for dozens of providers in March and April 2025. — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lapse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lapse

Noun

Other potential launch providers, United Launch Alliance and Blue Origin, are both working through setbacks with their launch vehicles.

— Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 23 Oct. 2026
As last week’s red flag warning took effect, the reservoir remained out of service after a series of setbacks during repairs.

— Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of setback

Noun

And if so, did Democrats make a mistake by not investing earlier?

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
Tampa Bay, which won the AL pennant by forcing opponents into mistakes, committed one error, made two other misplays that could have been charged as errors and had a runner thrown out at the plate.

— Ronald Blum, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of mistake

Verb

Melissa’s Law The statute of limitations expired on Highsmith’s case decades before she was found.

— Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
Doesn't expire Up to 50% off The TJ Maxx clearance section is one of the best ways to snag a deal at the retailer, with up to 50% off select styles.

— Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of expire

Noun

The 2018 tailspin had followed a massive momentum crescendo and reversal several months earlier, which gave way to an erratic tape that couldn't absorb what seemed at the time relatively unthreatening Federal Reserve tightening actions.

— Michael Santoli, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2026
In Georgia, Wesley’s Law, championed by Laura and Larry Gay after their son’s death, required public schools to stock overdose-reversal medication such as naloxone.

— Meng Yang, Time, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of reversal

Noun

No bigger than a microwave oven, Idefix will plop onto Phobos by itself, bouncing for several minutes before coming to a halt in the moon's extraordinarily low gravity.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026
The sharp decline earlier this year in software stocks ground dealmaking in the sector to a halt, as CEOs were reluctant to sell at the bottom and private-equity firms struggled to raise the debt.

— Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of halt

Verb

Letter writer second-guesses history of avoidant behavior after one phone argument ends a decades-long friendship.

— Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
In a shocking upset, a student movement resoundingly beat longtime Serbian leader President Aleksandar Vucic, ending his time in power after 14 years.

— Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of end

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Style

“Lapse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lapse. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of lapse

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verb

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Synonyms of lapse

noun

verb

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